Uber facemask case: Woman arrested after video shared by San Francisco driver
A woman accused of refusing to wear a face mask in an Uber taxi and then assaulting the driver with pepper spray in San Francisco has been arrested. Malaysia King, 24, is facing charges including violating the city’s health and safety laws, police said. Ms King is one of three passengers captured in dashcam footage, one of whom appears to cough over the driver. Police said that a second suspect, 24-year-old Arna Kimiai, had informed them that she would hand herself in. “We’re glad to hear that Ms Kimiai intends to do the right thing,” said Lt Tracy McCray of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), adding: “We hope it happens promptly.” The SFPD said that Ms King was arrested on Thursday with the assistance of Los Angeles police officers. It said the investigation into the incident on the afternoon of Sunday 7 March was ongoing.
Allegations made by Uber driver Subhakar Khadka, 32, include the refusal by his passengers to wear a face mask when requested, an attempt by one of the suspects to steal his mobile phone and the possible use of pepper spray, police said. Restrictions in place in San Francisco to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 include wearing a mask “to cover your mouth and nose” when within 2m (6ft) of someone who is not a member of your household, and when using public or “business” transportation.(BBC)…[+]